New Zealand driver Hayden Paddon has crashed his Hyundai into a crowd of spectators, injuring half a dozen people, at the start of the second day of the WRC Rally Argentina.
New Zealander driver Hayden Paddon steers his Hyundai i20 WRC with co-driver John Kennard during the WRC Rally Argentina on 25 April. Photo: AFP
Paddon and co-driver John Kennard weren't hurt but one fan broke a leg, according to local media.
The accident happened on the ninth stage in Cordoba when Paddon's Hyundai ploughed into the crowd.
At the exit of a curve, Paddon lost control after a jump and the car shot off the road into a tree, according to the Cordoba newspaper La Voz del Interior.
Rally press officer Augusto Lobo said that the seriousness of the injuries was not known while a spokesman for the local Capilla del Monte area said six people had been hurt.
The day's first stage, from Capilla del Monte to San Marcos in the hills of Cordoba province, was cancelled following the incident.
Spectators disobeyed race regulations that did not permit them to watch the race from the spot where the accident occurred.
Paddon, who took no further part in the days races, sent his best wishes to the fans involved in the crash.
The Geraldine driver is out of contention, but says he'll rejoin the rally on it's final day on Monday.
The Citroen duo of Kris Meeke and Mads Ostberg lead the Rally.
British driver Meeke was more than 38 seconds ahead of Ostberg with Finland's Jari-Matti Latvala, in a VW-Polo, in third spot, more than a minute off the lead.
World champion Sebastien Ogier, whose Polo broke down yesterday to leave him out of contention for a fourth successive win this season, rejoined the race this morning but with a 35-minute penalty.
Behind the top three, Britain's Elfyn Evans was fourth in a Ford Fiesta, at more than two minutes off the lead, with Thierry Neuville in a Hyundai in fifth spot.
